Vijayawada Travel Essentials

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"The Place Of Victory"

Vijayawada Tourism

Nestled on the banks of River Krishna in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is the second-largest populated city in the state. Known as the ‘commercial, political and media capital of Andhra Pradesh’, the city is one of the most rapidly growing urban cities in India. Covered by hills and canals, Vijayawada is also home to numerous caves and rock-cut temples carved out of these caves.

Vijayawada is an amalgamation of the old world and the new; the air echoes with the clanking of temple bells mixed with the cacophony of traffic, the ancient monuments stand in perfect harmony with the modern architecture of the metro city. Among the most popular places to visit in Vijayawada are Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Hazratbal Mosque, Rajiv Gandhi Park, and Kolleru Lake etc., in addition to the host of temples and several caves. Other than this, the city is mostly a base to explore the nearby attractions like the Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, and Mangalagiri Hill etc. 

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The Place of Victory - Vijayawada

A major commercial hub, and thus aptly 'Andhra Pradesh's Business Capital' Vijayawada is a bustling metropolis in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Although many legends are attributed to the name of this city, the most accepted one is that of Goddess Durga having relaxed here after overpowering the demons, and hence Vijayawada, 'The Place of Victory'. One of the smartest cities in India, Vijayawada seems way ahead of the other Indian metropolis, with a significant usage of renewable energy, and a well-connected transport network, having the distinction of being one of the first cities in India to introduce Rapid Bus Transit Systems. The city has also been as a 'Global City of the Future' by eminent business organisation McKinsey Quarterly. Besides the above, Vijayawada also has a gold mine of historic remnants, from Undavalli Caves of the Gupta era to the handmade innovations of the Kondapalli village nearby, which make it a popular tourist hotspot.  

History

The ancient name of Vijayawada is Bezawada and the city flourished during the Vishnukunda dynasty in the 5th and 6th centuries, under the rule of King Madhava Varma. Earlier, the city was also a part of the large Kalinga Empire which had been conquered by the great King Asoka. Later on, the city passed onto Mughal hands in the 17th century, followed by the Dutch and British. The city hosted many meetings of the Congress under Mahatma Gandhi, thus playing a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle. Vijayawada also figures prominently in the religious epic Mahabharata and is believed to be the place where Arjuna, one of the 5 Pandava brothers, received the powerful weapon Pasupatastra from Lord Shiva. The famous temple of Vijeyaswara is built in commemoration of this event.

Undavalli Caves

This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vijayawada. Constructed during the era of Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta, this is officially a monolithic structure, carved out of a huge sandstone. Dedicated to Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu, this cave is 10.4 km. away from Vijayawada, and accessible via NH65. These caves, made out of huge rocks, are a testimony to the pristine rock cut architecture that Indian engineers in the ancient history possessed. The best known, and also the largest one houses a huge sculpture of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture, sculpted out of one single rock. 

Restaurants and Local Food in Vijayawada

From the very popular Hyderabadi Biryani to authentic Andhra food to even multi-cuisine dishes, Vijayawada offers to its people and visitors hygienic and flattering food. Indulge in non-vegetarian delicacies with rich, and tangy Mughal flavors or order a vegetarian thali for all the best things of Andhra's cuisine in one platter.
Do not miss local items like Laskora Undalu or Raskora Undalu (coconut laddu), Sunnundallu - Laddu made from with roasted Urad Dal (Minapappu) and Jaggery (Bellam), Nellore Chicken Biriyani, Pachadi - typically made of vegetables, greens and roasted green or red chilies, Pappu Koora (Lentil based dish) boiled vegetables stir-fried with a small amount of half-cooked lentils (dal) and more.
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Suggested Itinerary for Vijayawada

Day 1: Reach Vijayawada, preferably by noon and take some rest. In the evening, you can go to the main market for a stroll, especially in places like MG Road, Besant Road, where you can buy precious curios and souvenirs, apart from delectable cuisine, that you can take home for your families.
Day 2: The 2nd day should be the ideal time for starting your trip through Vijayawada. You should begin ideally with Undavalli caves, an astounding rock cut architecture dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Not very far from here, a mere 9-minute drive later is the Prakasam Barrage, which offers a breathtaking view of the Krishna river.  
Day 3: The final day can be earmarked for the sites unexplored. For starters, you can take blessings from the Kanaka Durga Temple or the Subramanya Swamy Temple. Then, you can proceed towards Gandhi Hill, where the Gandhi Stupa, which doubles up as a planetarium and a museum on Mahatma Gandhi, is a popular tourist destination. If you don't prefer to go to Gandhi Hill, you can also visit Rajiv Gandhi Park, which is a well-maintained amusement hotspot. 

Best Time to Visit Vijayawada

How to Reach Vijayawada

How to Reach Overview

Vijayawada is well connected to the rest of India by rail, road, and air. Regular rail and bus services ply to and fro the city of Vijayawada; buses being operated both by private and government owners. Vijayawada airport, 13.5 km. away from the main city, is the principal airport that connects Vijayawada to the rest of India, as well as the world. Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Kingfisher Airlines connect the city with Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. Also, it is situated along the Chennai-Howrah, and Chennai-Delhi rail route, and is thus easily accessible.

How to reach Vijayawada by flight

Vijayawada Airport, 15.5 km. away from the main city approximately, is the nearest airport that serves the city of Vijayawada via airways. Regular flights from air carriers like Air India, Spicejet etc. operate on a daily and nonstop basis for Vijayawada.

How to reach Vijayawada by road

Regular bus services ply to and fro the city of Vijayawada. They operate on a daily basis, whether day or night, from places like Nellore, Vishakhapatnam etc. You can also take shared taxis or cabs for the same route.

How to reach Vijayawada by train

Vijayawada is well connected to the rest of India via railways as well. Regular rail services operate on a daily basis to and fro Vijayawada. Vijayawada Junction is the principal railway station that serves the city of Vijayawada.

Local transport in Vijayawada

There are many options to commute within Vijayawada. These include auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and buses. Both Ola and Uber cabs provide their services in the city.
Local buses are easily available.


Most frequently searched routes to Vijayawada

Route Name Distance Time
Hyderabad to Vijayawada 274 km 4 hours 40 mins
Chennai to Vijayawada 455 km 7 hours 7 mins
Bangalore to Vijayawada 663 km 11 hours 2 mins
Delhi to Vijayawada 1,848 km 1 day 3 hours
Ahmedabad to Vijayawada 1,472 km 1 day 1 hour
Pune to Vijayawada 861 km 14 hours 11 mins

Vijayawada Photos

Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Kanaka Durga Temple - Located on Indrakeeladri Hill, it is one of the most famous Temple in South India
Bhavani Island - Largest Island Situated on Krishna River
Victoria Museum - Built in the Indo European Architectural Style

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photos

FAQs on Vijayawada

What is the best time to visit Vijayawada?

Vijayawada is situated in Andhra Pradesh, and thus experiences a moderate climate, with mild winters. The best time for a visit to Vijayawada is in the winters, especially the months from October to March. The summers are unbearably hot, and the monsoons, although lovely and inviting, might dampen your plans if the rainfall is more than normal. Deccan festival lasting for five days in February and Lumbini festivals (December) are two attractive social gatherings here.
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What are the places near Vijayawada?

The top places near to Vijayawada are Guntur which is 31 km from Vijayawada, Amaravathi which is located 31 km from Vijayawada, Machelipatnam which is located 63 km from Vijayawada, Papi kondalu which is located 131 km from Vijayawada, Hyderabad which is located 249 km from Vijayawada

What are the things to do in Vijayawada?

The top things to do in Vijayawada are Bhavani Island, Kanaka Durga Temple, Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, Mogalarajapuram Caves, Subramanya Swamy Temple. You can see all the places to visit in Vijayawada here

What is the best way to reach Vijayawada?

Vijayawada is well connected to the rest of India by rail, road, and air. Regular rail and bus services ply to and fro the city of Vijayawada; buses being operated both by private and government owners. Vijayawada airport, 13.5 km. away from the main city, is the principal airport that connects Vijayawada to the rest of India, as well as the world. Jet Airways, SpiceJet and Kingfisher Airlines connect the city with Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. Also, it is situated along the Chennai-Howrah, and Chennai-Delhi rail route, and is thus easily accessible.
Read More

What is the local food in Vijayawada?

From the very popular Hyderabadi Biryani to authentic Andhra food to even multi-cuisine dishes, Vijayawada offers to its people and visitors hygienic and flattering food. Indulge in non-vegetarian delicacies with rich, and tangy Mughal flavors or order a vegetarian thali for all the best things of Andhra's cuisine in one platter.
Do not miss local items like Laskora Undalu or Raskora Undalu (coconut laddu), Sunnundallu - Laddu made from with roasted Urad Dal (Minapappu) and Jaggery (Bellam), Nellore Chicken Biriyani, Pachadi - typically made of vegetables, greens and roasted green or red chilies, Pappu Koora (Lentil based dish) boiled vegetables stir-fried with a small amount of half-cooked lentils (dal) and more.
Read More

Who should visit Vijayawada?

Ideal for history lovers. Suitable for backpackers touring nearby sites like Nellore, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad etc.

What is not so good about Vijayawada?

Crowded in peak seasons. Politically volatile.

What is famous about Vijayawada?

A beautiful confluence of history and culture.

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Vijayawada Reviews

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suresh babu mamidala

5 years ago
It is very hard to find bus timings if you are traveling in bus

Rohit Shroff

5 years ago
- There are very few,or no car-taxis at all in vijayawada. It is therefore advisable to keep a schedule of the buses in the City.You can easily get around the city by an autorikschaw, but be to caref (Read More)ul bargain the fare with the driver, or else you might end up paying a lot more because 'there was too much traffic' or 'you didn't know the directions'.

SUJIL SAM

on Kanaka Durga Temple 5 years ago
IT is very accurate and the detail explanation is very good, as the guidance is also good to reach the temple and the places for visiting and staying it is helpful for me like a scripture writing peo (Read More)ple. To know about the more join with us at "link hidden"
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